Maine Solar PV Growing in Popularity… Why?

October 25th, 2011 by Zachary Shahan

QUICK NEWS: Solar PV is blowing up in Maine. A recent piece in Maine’s Portland Press Herald gives some explanation as to why, as does the video above.

ARUNDEL – On the lawn behind the Solar Market offices here, 144 solar-electric panels are mounted across a 100-foot-long run of wooden racks. No surprise, really, to see a photovoltaic system outside a company that sells the hardware

But this set-up is way larger than needed to run lights and appliances. And therein lies the surprise: These solar panels generated enough power last winter to supply nearly 70 percent of the building’s warmth — with electric heat.

The falling price of photovoltaic panels, along with the advent of special heat pumps and super insulation, is creating an opportunity in Maine that energy experts could hardly imagine a few years ago. Now some of the state’s leading solar installers, including Solar Market, have begun installing so-called PV panels on homes and businesses to harvest sunshine for baseboard heaters.

The new economics of PV panels also has some companies moving away from promoting solar-thermal collectors designed to heat water, a mainstay of the business in Maine for 30 years.

…

PV module prices are down 50 percent in the past three years; they’ve fallen by roughly one-third in the past 12 months. Manufacturing growth in China, among other factors, has led to overcapacity and financial losses. Trade publications predict that competition will continue to drive down prices next year, as the industry struggles to consolidate and match supply with demand.

Maine solar installers are taking advantage of this environment, as well as state and federal laws that encourage the use of renewable energy. A visit to Solar Market’s 3,500-square-foot office shows one way to do it.

This is not unique to Maine, as solar has been blowing up across the country. But this is a fun micro-example of what’s going on. More on the Maine story here: Solar rising with tax credits, lower costs.

h/t Climate Denial Crock of the Week

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Tags: solar energy maine, solar maine, solar panels maine, solar power maine, Solar PV, solar pv maine

About the Author

Zachary Shahan spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as the director/chief editor. Otherwise, he's probably enthusiastically fulfilling his duties as the director/editor of Solar Love, EV Obsession, Planetsave, or Bikocity. Zach is recognized globally as a solar energy, electric car, and wind energy expert. If you would like him to speak at a related conference or event, connect with him via social media. You can connect with Zach on any popular social networking site you like. Links to all of his main social media profiles are on ZacharyShahan.com.

http://www.solartronenergy.co.za/ Photovoltaic solar

I just added this feed to my bookmarks. I have to say, I very much enjoy reading your blogs. Keep it up!
Anonymous

Cool, thanks for showing off our video series! We’ve been driving around ME & NH talking to people who’ve installed solar collecting their stories… The takeaway is that it’s not just one person or demographic making all this happen.

We still believe in solar thermal systems, and just posted a blog detailing a bit more in-depth as to the design choices between picking a photovoltaic system or solar thermal system, this may interest some readers – http://www.revisionenergy.com/blog/rumors-of-solar-thermals-death-greatly-exaggerated/

Thanks again for sharing this story!
Fred

ReVision Energy, Portland, ME
Anonymous

So, solar electricity produced 70% of the buildings heat. But that’s in a business which most likely was closed at night. That wouldn’t apply to a residential building or any other which needed to be heated around the clock, but is an interesting idea for commercial/daytime heating.

However, 144 panels along with all the installation costs. Seems like a geothermal heat pump would make more sense. And offer benefits all night long.

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The video – needs payback info.
http://twitter.com/dgilford David Gilford

Don’t you mean “Maine” in the headline? “Main Solar PV Exploding” sounds like a gas main blowing up.
- Anonymous
  
  jeez, thank you. would have noticed at some point, but better sooner than later! “quick news”